Will the Scottish Government's proposed support for carers improve the position of thousands of children and adults across the country with caring roles?

The Scottish Parliament' s health and sport committee is currently scrutinising the Carers (Scotland) bill. It's the Government's attempt to improve what is on offer to an estimated 657,000 unpaid adult carers and 100,000 young carers.

Ministers claim they have already invested more than £112 million support for people who have caring responsibilities in relation to an elderly, sick or disabled relative or friend.

But carers' charities last week told committee members that there a postcode lottery sees levels of support varying considerably from one council area to the next.

While cuts mean most councils limit significant help to those whose needs are deemed 'substantial' or 'critical', what happens next varies widely - for example, the availability of short breaks or holiday play schemes for families with disabled children.

The new bill entitles adults to an adult carer support plan, while children with caring duties will get a young carer's statement.

But third sector groups told MSPs of a range of areas in which the bill could be made more effective. One common call is for baseline national standard so carers know the minimum they are entitled to.

Today, carers themselves will tell MSPs in Glasgow about their experiences. Their input is bound to be interesting.

Some carers in the city claim to have lost out under a process of 'personalising' social care support which saw a significant falling out between Glasgow Carers and the City Council.

There's likely to be no substitute for hearing from carers themselves.

As a group they are regularly congratulated for their efforts, and on the money they save government through their voluntary caring roles. But too often the vocal support is not followed through.

Meanwhile, the pressures of caring force some people to quit their jobs, or put their own health at risk. Stress can help lead to marriages breaking down.

Carers are also affected by wider issues beyond the scope of the bill. Charges for social care received at home vary so considerably between councils now that some are unable to move from one local authority area to another, due to the additional amount they would have to pay.

Carers are also likely to call for some kind of speed guarantee when they are assessed for support. According to charities, it is not unknown for the person being cared for to have been admitted to residential care, or event to have died by the time a decision is made.